The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, represented by Dr Japhet Musa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to driving safer, more sustainable and inclusive urban development across Nigeria.
Speaking at the North Central Regional Workshop on “Be Bold on Buildings” held in Abuja, the Minister described the initiative as a significant step in translating Nigeria’s national climate commitments into practical and state-level action. The global campaign aims to accelerate decarbonisation in the built environment while enhancing resilience against climate change.
“Urban development is not merely about constructing buildings and infrastructure. It is about building communities, nurturing ecosystems and creating inclusive spaces where every Nigerian can thrive. Sustainability is not a burden but an opportunity to create jobs, improve health and protect our planet. Let us build not just structures, but legacies.” The Minister noted.
He further highlighted the government’s strategic vision anchored on five pillars: policy reform and green standards; affordable, sustainable housing; decentralised urban planning; climate-responsive infrastructure; and inclusive, participatory governance.
President of the Green Building Council of Nigeria (GBCN), Mr Danjuma Waniko, noted that the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Scorecard for Sustainable Building Project, part of the “Be Bold on Buildings” campaign, is “a global yet locally grounded initiative designed to transform the way we build, live and sustain our cities.”
“We have moved from planning to implementation. This project empowers every region in Nigeria to align building practices with climate commitments, ensuring what we have on paper becomes a visible reality in our communities. Our focus now is to take these plans to the regions because true climate action begins where people live, work and build.” Waniko stated.
Delivering a goodwill message, Mr Moses Aja, Deputy Director of Housing at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), underscored Abuja’s growing reputation as a model for sustainable urban development.
“The NDC Scorecard offers a unifying framework. It helps us measure progress, identify challenges and inspire other states to replicate successful models. Abuja is ready to serve as a living laboratory for green and climate-resilient growth.”Aja said.
Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development in Plateau State, Hon. Sylvanus Dangtoe, shared insights into local challenges and adaptation measures.
“We are mandating that every new building plan include at least one tree. We aim to restore green and improve urban resilience while reducing the impact of climate change on our communities.” Dangtoe revealed.
He added that the Plateau State Government is reviewing the Jos Master Plan to embed sustainability principles, expand green areas and introduce renewable urban schemes. The state is also collaborating with UN-Habitat and other partners on water harvesting, eco-friendly construction materials and inclusive planning across its 17 local government areas.
Technical Lead at GBCN, Mrs Sangeetha Ramaraj, explained that the NDC Scorecard was developed through a bottom-up process combining research, stakeholder consultations and policy mapping across 15 states.
“We found significant policy gaps in areas such as biodiversity, nature-based solutions and equity. Our scorecard now provides a roadmap for filling those gaps with measurable, time-bound actions. The action plan proposes eight strategic objectives including capacity building, green finance, data strengthening, pilot projects and multi-sectoral collaboration , all aimed at making Nigeria’s built environment a driver of sustainability and innovation.”she said.
The workshop highlighted the collective resolve of government agencies, professional bodies and development partners to transform Nigeria’s building sector into a model of sustainability and resilience.